Wetsuit Hanger / Saver with PVC Pipe Ø32mm, 1", etc.

WHY

Hanging your wet surf or diving wetsuit on a normal hanger stretches and thins out the shoulders. This wetsuit saver can keep your wetsuit going for much longer.

MATERIALS

• PVC Pipe: note that Ø32x3mm thick or NPS 1 inch is strong enough

• Epoxy glue, like Araldite.

• 3D Printed parts.

• A bit of 60 or 80 grit sandpaper.

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Print the 3D models according to your PVC pipe size. For maximum strength and minimum support waste, print the hook and the cap laying, and the corner piece standing (see gcode files).

2) Cut PVC pipe to the lengths of 280mm and 480mm. For narrow wetsuits you can reduce the size proportionally.

3) Place masking tape near the ends, according to these dimensions:

•  Short PVC pipe:

  • 44mm on the hook side

  • 56mm on the corner side (mark it, so that you don't mix them up)

• Long PVC pipe:

  • 67mm on the corner side

  • 12mm on the cap side

4) Sand the ends with rough sandpaper (60 or 80 grit), in a cross pattern, to improve adhesion, then round the edges to facilitate insertion

5) Prepare some epoxi glue (like Araldite), spread it evenly on the ends and insert PVC in 3D printed parts. Twist and push until you reach the masking tape. Make sure the corner piece and the hook are aligned.

6) Clean amy epoxi residue and remove masking tape before letting it cure, then let it harden for 24h.

ADAPTING PARAMETRIC 3D MODEL

If you have some other material with another diameter:

1) Download the parametric file Wetsuit_Hanger.FCStd and open it in FreeCAD.

2) On the bottom of the left panel, double click the Parameters table, and edit the values according to the materials you have and to your preference. The part should update fine, with a small chance of the chamfered edges needing to be re-selected.

NOTE: Add some 0.25mm to the diameter, otherwise it will be impossible to insert the printed parts due to the high friction.

* PS: The photo is from an older version. The 3D models are a new version where the hook has been flipped so that it's less likely the hanger will fall off when there's no wetsuit on it.